Preview
The Hornets will close out the season on the road in Davis in the annual Causeway Classic rivalry game. The Hornets have yet to lose at the new stadium in Davis but they should not expect them to roll over and not put up a fight. This game will be a battle for both teams and it should be a good one to watch. ucd is coming into this game off of a huge upset victory over the underachieving CP Mustangs so they will be coming into this game on an emotional high. The Hornets will need to knock them off of that high and show them who the aggressor is. The Hornets will also be coming into this game on a streak of their own having won the past 3 games and looking to finish the season on a strong note with a victory in the Causeway.
Offense:
ucd lost a lot with when their senior QB Denham quit the team after spring ball and have had to start redshirt freshman QB Wright. Wright has had his growing pains but has been coming around as of late so he definitely has the capability to make plays. The ags are 27th in the FCS in passing offense with an average of 232.4 ypg but are ranked 107th in FCS in rushing offense averaging a woeful 85.8 ypg on the ground. Wright is 193 of 329 for 2,299 yards with 15 TD’s and 7 INT’s. What is more impressive is that this team doesn’t have nearly the amount of talent at WR as they did a year ago. Their leading receiver is senior WR Creadick who has 64 catches for 882 yards and 8 TD’s. He is the main target. The numbers drop off significantly as their next top receiver is senior TE Rogers who has 383 yards on 28 catches and 3 TD’s followed by sophomore WR Soto who has 295 yards on 26 catches. The ags have no running game whatsoever. There is really no other way to say it. Their leading rusher is Aprile who has 356 yards on 86 carries with 2 TD’s. RB Reese also has about the same amount of carries as Aprile. Reese has 317 yards on 81 carries for 2 TD’s. The ags have to use the gimmicky “Wildcat” formation to get things going on the ground.
The defense needs to come out and lay the wood. If they can establish their presence early, they should be able to shut down the ucd offense and impose their will. The Hornets have been solid against the run this season and this matchup will definitely favor the Hornets. If the front 6/7 can shut down their anemic running attack, ucd will have to depend on their aerial attack. This is where the Hornets should release hell and pound the crap out of Wright. ucd has allowed 26 sacks this season so Nash and Clark needs to get some pressure early and often. The goal should be to punish Wright so bad that come this time next season, he wakes up in the middle of the night in the fetal position sucking his thumb while lying in pool of his own urine. This QB has three more Causeway’s after this one, the Hornets need to make sure he knows what he will be in for. :twisted:
Defense:
The ucd defense is ranked 92 in FCS in total defense. They allow an average of 221.4 ypg through the air and 165.7 ypg on the ground. Their leading tackler is OLB Amajoyi with 84. Their second leading tackler is SS Hart with 65, MLB Glass is third with 62 tackles. DE Sobotka leads the team with 4 sacks. Amajoyi is also leads their team with 3 INT’s. OLB Gruendl is right behind him with 2 INT’s. According to the depth chart their base is a 4-3. This team has nothing to lose so I expect them to blitz early and often to try and knock Fleming off rhythm as well as to clog the running lanes.
The Hornet offense will need to execute if they want to move the ball. As undersized as this ag defense is, they have shown that they can get to the ball. The OL is going to need to get things going and open up running lanes for the RB’s. Hilliard didn’t play last week but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get the nod this week. The offense has really been clicking the past 3 weeks and they will need to continue that this week. If the Hornets can establish a run game, look for the play action pass to be used to go for a big play. The Hornets will need to bring their “A” game and if they do, they should roll on offense.
Special Teams:
It looks like ucd has three players capable of making solid kickoff returns. Reese, Cutshaw, and Aprile are all averaging better than 19.6 ypr. Their punt returner Hemmingsen is not as lucky as he is averaging 4.2 ypr. Their kicker Kelley is solid. He is 12 of 15 but only has a long of 43 yards. Their punter Schmidt is averaging 39.5 ypp. ucd has not allowed a blocked FG or punt.
I am not sure how they want to play kickoff coverage but I imagine they will at least test these returners and kick some deep. The coverage is going to need to execute so ucd isn’t gifted with good field position to start their drives. Something to take note of is that Wright is also the holder on FG’s, so the Hornets will need to be ready for a fake. Obviously Diniz gives the Hornets an advantage in the FG category but Kelley is solid.
Intangibles:
ucd is a well disciplined team and has only been penalized 50 times for a loss of 461 yards compared to 76 for a loss of 559 by the Hornets. The ags have turned the ball over 14 times, 7 INT’s and 7 fumbles lost. They have put the ball on the ground 13 times. As in any game, turnovers will be key. The Hornets will need to be able to hold onto the football and not make mistakes and force some turnovers as well. The turnover battle will be an important factor in this game.
Sperbeck should have no problem getting the team ready for this game as this rivalry contains a lot of passion and emotion. Take all the stats I listed above and throw them out the window. I expect both teams to come out playing hard and as we saw last season, the stats don’t mean sh!t. The team that wants this more will prevail, it’s that simple. The Hornets need to take this game down and prove to the greater Sacramento area that this program is for real.
DM feel free to add what you want as I’m sure you know the ucd team a lot better than I do. All I have to go off of are the stats.
GO HORNETS!!!
The Hornets will close out the season on the road in Davis in the annual Causeway Classic rivalry game. The Hornets have yet to lose at the new stadium in Davis but they should not expect them to roll over and not put up a fight. This game will be a battle for both teams and it should be a good one to watch. ucd is coming into this game off of a huge upset victory over the underachieving CP Mustangs so they will be coming into this game on an emotional high. The Hornets will need to knock them off of that high and show them who the aggressor is. The Hornets will also be coming into this game on a streak of their own having won the past 3 games and looking to finish the season on a strong note with a victory in the Causeway.
Offense:
ucd lost a lot with when their senior QB Denham quit the team after spring ball and have had to start redshirt freshman QB Wright. Wright has had his growing pains but has been coming around as of late so he definitely has the capability to make plays. The ags are 27th in the FCS in passing offense with an average of 232.4 ypg but are ranked 107th in FCS in rushing offense averaging a woeful 85.8 ypg on the ground. Wright is 193 of 329 for 2,299 yards with 15 TD’s and 7 INT’s. What is more impressive is that this team doesn’t have nearly the amount of talent at WR as they did a year ago. Their leading receiver is senior WR Creadick who has 64 catches for 882 yards and 8 TD’s. He is the main target. The numbers drop off significantly as their next top receiver is senior TE Rogers who has 383 yards on 28 catches and 3 TD’s followed by sophomore WR Soto who has 295 yards on 26 catches. The ags have no running game whatsoever. There is really no other way to say it. Their leading rusher is Aprile who has 356 yards on 86 carries with 2 TD’s. RB Reese also has about the same amount of carries as Aprile. Reese has 317 yards on 81 carries for 2 TD’s. The ags have to use the gimmicky “Wildcat” formation to get things going on the ground.
The defense needs to come out and lay the wood. If they can establish their presence early, they should be able to shut down the ucd offense and impose their will. The Hornets have been solid against the run this season and this matchup will definitely favor the Hornets. If the front 6/7 can shut down their anemic running attack, ucd will have to depend on their aerial attack. This is where the Hornets should release hell and pound the crap out of Wright. ucd has allowed 26 sacks this season so Nash and Clark needs to get some pressure early and often. The goal should be to punish Wright so bad that come this time next season, he wakes up in the middle of the night in the fetal position sucking his thumb while lying in pool of his own urine. This QB has three more Causeway’s after this one, the Hornets need to make sure he knows what he will be in for. :twisted:
Defense:
The ucd defense is ranked 92 in FCS in total defense. They allow an average of 221.4 ypg through the air and 165.7 ypg on the ground. Their leading tackler is OLB Amajoyi with 84. Their second leading tackler is SS Hart with 65, MLB Glass is third with 62 tackles. DE Sobotka leads the team with 4 sacks. Amajoyi is also leads their team with 3 INT’s. OLB Gruendl is right behind him with 2 INT’s. According to the depth chart their base is a 4-3. This team has nothing to lose so I expect them to blitz early and often to try and knock Fleming off rhythm as well as to clog the running lanes.
The Hornet offense will need to execute if they want to move the ball. As undersized as this ag defense is, they have shown that they can get to the ball. The OL is going to need to get things going and open up running lanes for the RB’s. Hilliard didn’t play last week but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get the nod this week. The offense has really been clicking the past 3 weeks and they will need to continue that this week. If the Hornets can establish a run game, look for the play action pass to be used to go for a big play. The Hornets will need to bring their “A” game and if they do, they should roll on offense.
Special Teams:
It looks like ucd has three players capable of making solid kickoff returns. Reese, Cutshaw, and Aprile are all averaging better than 19.6 ypr. Their punt returner Hemmingsen is not as lucky as he is averaging 4.2 ypr. Their kicker Kelley is solid. He is 12 of 15 but only has a long of 43 yards. Their punter Schmidt is averaging 39.5 ypp. ucd has not allowed a blocked FG or punt.
I am not sure how they want to play kickoff coverage but I imagine they will at least test these returners and kick some deep. The coverage is going to need to execute so ucd isn’t gifted with good field position to start their drives. Something to take note of is that Wright is also the holder on FG’s, so the Hornets will need to be ready for a fake. Obviously Diniz gives the Hornets an advantage in the FG category but Kelley is solid.
Intangibles:
ucd is a well disciplined team and has only been penalized 50 times for a loss of 461 yards compared to 76 for a loss of 559 by the Hornets. The ags have turned the ball over 14 times, 7 INT’s and 7 fumbles lost. They have put the ball on the ground 13 times. As in any game, turnovers will be key. The Hornets will need to be able to hold onto the football and not make mistakes and force some turnovers as well. The turnover battle will be an important factor in this game.
Sperbeck should have no problem getting the team ready for this game as this rivalry contains a lot of passion and emotion. Take all the stats I listed above and throw them out the window. I expect both teams to come out playing hard and as we saw last season, the stats don’t mean sh!t. The team that wants this more will prevail, it’s that simple. The Hornets need to take this game down and prove to the greater Sacramento area that this program is for real.
DM feel free to add what you want as I’m sure you know the ucd team a lot better than I do. All I have to go off of are the stats.
GO HORNETS!!!
